Three-dimensional quantum Hall effect in topological amorphous metals

Weyl semimetals have been theoretically predicted to become topological metals with anomalous Hall conductivity in amorphous systems. However, measuring the anomalous Hall conductivity in realistic materials, particularly those with multiple pairs of Weyl points, is a significant challenge. If a system respects time-reversal symmetry, then the anomalous Hall conductivity even vanishes. As such, it remains an open question how to probe the Weyl band like topology in amorphous materials. Here, we theoretically demonstrate that, under magnetic fields, a topological metal slab in amorphous systems exhibits three-dimensional quantum Hall effect, even in time-reversal invariant systems, thereby providing a feasible approach to exploring Weyl band like topology in amorphous materials. We unveil the topological origin of the quantized Hall conductance by calculating the Bott index. The index is carried by broadened Landau levels with bulk states spatially localized except at critical transition energies. The topological property also results in edge states localized at distinct hinges on two opposite surfaces.

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Publication Details

Journal
SciPost Physics
Published
2025-05-02
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21468/scipostphys.18.5.146
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Topological Materials and Phenomena
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.25

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article

Three-dimensional quantum Hall effect in topological amorphous metals

Yong Xu, Jiong-Hao Wang
1 citations
SciPost Physics
Topological Materials and Phenomena
1.25
article

Three-dimensional quantum Hall effect in topological amorphous metals

Yong Xu, Jiong-Hao Wang
article en
1 citations

Abstract

Weyl semimetals have been theoretically predicted to become topological metals with anomalous Hall conductivity in amorphous systems. However, measuring the anomalous Hall conductivity in realistic materials, particularly those with multiple pairs of Weyl points, is a significant challenge. If a system respects time-reversal symmetry, then the anomalous Hall conductivity even vanishes. As such, it remains an open question how to probe the Weyl band like topology in amorphous materials. Here, we theoretically demonstrate that, under magnetic fields, a topological metal slab in amorphous systems exhibits three-dimensional quantum Hall effect, even in time-reversal invariant systems, thereby providing a feasible approach to exploring Weyl band like topology in amorphous materials. We unveil the topological origin of the quantized Hall conductance by calculating the Bott index. The index is carried by broadened Landau levels with bulk states spatially localized except at critical transition energies. The topological property also results in edge states localized at distinct hinges on two opposite surfaces.

SciPost PhysicsVol. 18(5)
Hefei University (CN), Tsinghua University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, Tsinghua University
Openalex Percentile: Top 22%
Topological Materials and Phenomena
1.25
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